Japan-Brunei Summit Meeting

On May 13, for around 35 minutes from 11:20 A.M., Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a summit meeting with His Majesty Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, who is visiting Japan. This was followed by a working lunch hosted by Prime Minister Abe for around 50 minutes. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

At the beginning of the meeting, Prime Minister Abe welcomed His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's visit to Japan, and he noted that 2013 was very important since it marks the 40th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation and Brunei is acting as the Chair of ASEAN under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. He also stated that Japan would offer the most of her cooperation, for the success of the series of ASEAN-related meetings. In response, His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah noted that Japan and Brunei had good relationship for a long time particularly in the field of energy, and in recent years bilateral relations were strengthened in other fields as well, such as education and youth exchange. He expressed his hope that Japan and Brunei enhance bilateral relations even further using the opportunity of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Brunei next year.

Bilateral relations

(1) The two leaders welcomed the close communication at high-levels of both countries this year, including the realization of reciprocal visits of foreign ministers. They shared the view that they would continue to bolster policy dialogue at every level.

(2) In terms of the economy, the leaders welcomed the consistent development of trade and investment relations under the Japan-Brunei Economic Partnership Agreement signed in June 2007. Prime Minister Abe expressed his gratitude for the stable supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Brunei over many years, and stated that Japan would contribute to Brunei's efforts of diversification of industry and job creation and advance cooperation through utilizing Japan's technology in the fields including renewable energy and energy conservation. His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah remarked that Japan was the biggest trading partner for Brunei and expressed his hope to continue enhancing good economic relations.

(3) In regard to politics and security, Prime Minister Abe said that Japan would exert every effort toward the success of multilateral exercises under the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus) to be held in Brunei in June. The two leaders verified that they would continue strengthening cooperative relations in the fields of disaster relief and maritime security.

(4) Prime Minister Abe said that he hoped to invite many young people from Brunei to Japan through the JENESYS 2.0 program. The two leaders shared the view that they would develop amicable relations further through exchange of the young generations that will lead in the future.

Regional situations

(1) Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan would continue playing an active role for peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, and remarked that Japan intended to continue enhancing cooperative relations with ASEAN countries including Brunei based on the "Five Principles of Japan's ASEAN Diplomacy" announced during his visit to Indonesia in January. He also expressed his admiration for the efforts of His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah as the Chair of ASEAN this year, and offered active support for the construction of the ASEAN Community in 2015. The leaders shared the view that they would continue close cooperation toward the success of ASEAN-related summit meetings in October and the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit Meeting in December.

(2) In relation to the TPP, Prime Minister Abe expressed his gratitude for Brunei's support for Japan's participation in TPP negotiations, saying that now Japan has good prospect for the participation, and he requested further cooperation as well. In response, his Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah welcomed the participation of Japan in negotiations, and said that the importance of the TPP would further increase along with Japan's participation.

(3) The two leaders also had an exchange of opinions on situations in the Asia-Pacific region, including issues related to North Korea.